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SchoolGrades

SchoolGrades

SchoolGrades.org offers the only grading system that uses a rigorous, common standard to compare schools across the United States. We adjust for differences in academic standards across states and account for each school’s unique economic profile to provide a comprehensive picture of school performance in core subjects.

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Federal law requires all states to assess students in grades 3-8 in math and reading. We begin our calculation with the percentage of students who earn scores that qualify as proficient on these state math and reading exams. We average the proficiency rates in these two subjects to get the school's overall state proficiency percentage.

Because each state creates its own proficiency standards, the standards vary substantially, making direct comparisons between schools in different states impossible. It is also often easier to earn a proficient score on a state exam than on the leading national exam (i.e., NAEP).

To apply a common, rigorous national standard to all schools, we use a simple statistical method to determine the percentage of students who would qualify as "proficient" under the federal government's National Assessment of Educational Progress. This allows us to compare how each school's students perform relative to their peers across the country.

To calculate our grades, we begin by looking at the percentage of students in each school who qualify as proficient on state math and reading exams. We then follow a three-step process.

Step 1: Apply a Rigorous National Standard
We adjust the percentage of students who qualify as proficient on the state exams to align with a rigorous national standard. We use the latest test scores available via an arrangement with GreatSchools.org.

Step 2: Adjust for Students' Economic Profile
We then account for the percentage of students in the school who are economically disadvantaged.

Step 3: Assign the Final Letter Grade
Finally, we assign a letter grade based on how the school performs relative to international performance benchmarks.